Ignition switch with accessory position stop



J. R. CANADAY 3,339,036

. IGNITION SWITCH WITH ACCESSORY POSITION STOP Filed Juhe 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l LOCKED OFF POSITION ACCESSORY I--.

P06 TION INVENTOR.

Joe R. C'anaa'a BY w fi 4, 4

H15 ATTORNEY Au 29, 1967 I C D 3,339,936

, IGN ITION SWITCH WITH ACCESSORY POSITION STOP Filed June 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f," km

INVENTOR.

HIS ATTORNEY 3,339,036 IGNITION SWITCH WITH ACCESSORY POSITION STOP Joe R. Canaday, Anderson, Ind., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,466 8 Claims. (Cl. 200-44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a preferred form the present invention relates to an ignition switch having a standard accessory, run and start positions situated on either side of a neutral position, and includes stop means integrally formed on an inside surface of the lock cylinder to prevent accidental movement of the switch to the accessory position when the intent was to turn the switch to the off or neutral position.

This invention relates to ignition lock switches and more particularly to a switch having mechanism which prevents the inadvertent positioning of the lock switch in the accessory position.

Automobile ignition lock switches in common usage are key operated and generally have an accessory position and a run position on either side of a neutral or off position. In addition, these keys can be turned from the run position against a bias of a centering spring to a start position. The relieving of pressure tending to rotate the key from the run position will usually result in a key being automatically returned to the run position from the start position. The accessory position varies from the run position usually in the blocking out of the ignition circuits in the accessory position. However, most of the other vehicle electrical devices are operative when the engine is not running. With the engine not running, no battery charging is taking place and, consequently, accessories operated while the key is in the accessory position are run directly from the battery.

Infrequent operation of electrical accessories with the ignition key in the accessory position is not harmful if for limited periods of time. However, operation from the accessory position for longer periods, for example, two hours or more, will result in a draining of the battery power. It is possible using ignition lock switches in common usage to move the key to the off or neutral position and inadvertently continue into the accessory position. This would mean that certain accessories, such as radios, blowers, etc., could be operated directly from the battery during the interval between the shutting off of the ignition switch and the next time the occasion arose to use the ignition switch. This invention utilizes an ignition lock switch familiar to most vehicle operators but which must be depressed before being turned into the accessory position. This feature obviates the problem of inadvertently running accessories when the intended position of the key was off or neutral.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ignition lock switch which requires axial movement of the key and lock cylinder before rotating movement into the accessory position can be. accomplished.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved ignition lock switch which is dimensionally the same as switches in common usage without radically departing from the basic acceptable ignition lock switch design.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved ignition lock switch which uses a United States Patent 3,339,036 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 bayonet type movement to attain the accessory position. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a pre ferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the front of an ignition lock switch illustrating the relative positions the switch can be made to attain.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, the ignition lock switch shown in the neutral position.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing the interior portions of the lock switch and the configuration they assume with the lock switch in the accessory position.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a keyhole 10 is shown in its orientation relative to a housing 12 that it assumes with the key withdrawn from a lock cylinder 14. Lock cylinder 14 is a conventional type wherein the insertion of a key into the keyhole frees a lock side bar and the cylinder is then rotatable in the housing. This type of lock cylinder is clearly described in Ser. No. 278,569 and Ser. No. 278,570 assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Therefore, reference line 16 illustrates the line the keyhole would assume while in the neutral or off position. Reference line 18 indicates the key orientation when the lock switch is in the run position and reference line 20 illustrates the key orientation when the lock switch is in the start position. Reference line 22 which is also the cutting plane of FIGURE 3 illustrates the key orientation when the lock switch is in the accessory position.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the lock cylinder 14 is rotatable in housing 12 when a key is inserted and includes an elongated lug extension 24. Lug 24 cooperates with slot 26 in contact carrier 28 to drive the contact carrier 28 rotationally in response to key rotation. Contact carrier 28 generally includes a contact plate 30 biased by springs 32 between selected fixed contacts 34. Terminals 36 engagethe fixed contacts 34 and maintain them in conductive' relationship with various portions of the vehicle electrical system. It is seen then that rotational movement of carrier 28 by lock cylinder 14 results in rotary movement of contact plate 30- between radially spaced fixed contacts 34 to bring about the energization of various circuits in a conventional manner.

Contact carrier 28 is piloted on post 38 carried by housing closure member 40. Spiral wound spring 42 is relatively fixed with respect to member 40 and engages contact carrier 28 during rotational movement thereof when the lock cylinder is rotated from the run position into the start position. This results in a spring loading of the lock cylinder to the run position from the start position. Spring loaded contact means 44 follows the rotational movement of carrier 28 and serves to energize selected lighting circuits for test purposes when lock cylinder 14 is positioned in the start position.

Lock cylinder 14 includes a T-shaped flange 46 arranged to contact surface 48 which is peripherally disposed inside housing 12. Flange 46 will slide on surface taken along line 6-6 view taken along line 7-7 3 48 when the lock cylinder 14 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1, into the run or start position. A raised surface 50, better seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, is the surface on which the T-shaped flange 46 slides when the switch is rotated from the neutral position into the accessory position after being axially moved.

End member 52 of lock cylinder 14 includes a stop member 54 and a sliding surface 56. Sliding surface 56 normally slides on the end of return spring means 58 and on surface 60 of housing 12, better seen in FIGURES 6 and 7. Stop member 54 normally slides in depressed pocket 62 arcuately shaped and formed in surface 60. Access hole 64 allows the entrance of a pointed instrument when the lock cylinder is rotated to the position shown in FIGURE 3, thereby allowing depression of return spring means 58 and, consequently, the further rotation of stop member 54 past return spring means 58. This is a releasing means which will be later described.

Referring to FIGURE 3, a key 66 is shown inserted in the lock cylinder 14 and the lock cylinder itself is illustrated as having been axially moved in housing 12 to a point where T-shaped flange 46 is slidable on raised surface 50. This is a bayonet type engaging movement which allows the lock cylinder to be rotated into the accessory position. As clearly shown in FIGURE 3, surface 56 has moved into engagement with the switch housing, and stop member 54 has been rotated into interfering engagement with return spring means 58. When in this position, lock cylinder 14 cannot be further rotated until spring means 58 is depressed through aperture 64 to allow stop member 54 to be rotated past spring means 58. The interference between stop member 54 and spring means 58 is also seen in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the configuration of lug extension 24 cooperating with slot 26 at the same time showing the relative position of contact means 44.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the T-shaped flange 46 is illustrated contacting surface 48, as is the case while the lock cylinder is in neutral, run or start position. FIGURE 4 is a section taken from the inside of the lock cylinder looking outward so the movements described are in reverse to those seen when the lock cylinder is viewed from the driving compartment of the vehicle. For example, the lock cylinder 14, as viewed in FIGURE 4, rides on peripheral surface 48 when moved counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 4, but illustrates the clockwise rotation of cylinder 14 as viewed in FIGURE 1. When lock cylinder 14 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 4, a movement toward the accessory position takes place. Flange 46 slides into interfering relationship with raised surface 50 and further rotation is prevented. Axial movement of cylinder 14, toward the right as viewed in FIG- URE 2 into the position shown in FIGURE 3, results in flange 46 being rotatable onto raised surface 50 and into the accessory position. It should be noted that, when in this position, flange 46 is almost rotated into slots 68 formed in the inside wall of housing 12. This would require a further clockwise movement of lock cylinder 14 which is prevented while in the accessory position by the interference between stop member 54 and spring means 58, as viewed in FIGURE 7. With spring means 58 depressed and the cylinder 14 further rotated, flanges 46 line up with slots 68 allowing disassembly of the cylinder 14 from housing 12.

In operation, it will be assumed that key 66 is inserted into keyhole 10 and the lock switch is positioned as shown in FIGURE 1 with key 66 on reference line 16. This is the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 2. When it is desired to rotate the key from reference line 16, denoting the neutral position, to reference line 18, denoting the run position, key 66 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG- URE 1. Stop member 54 of lock cylinder 14 will move in pocket 62 and sliding surface 56 of end member 52 will slide on surface .60 of housing 12. This is illustrated 4 by a counterclockwise movement of lock cylinder 14 and stop member 54 in pocket 62, as viewed in FIGURE 6. Flange 46 will slide on peripheral surface 48, as shown in FIGURE 4.

When it is desired to move key 66 from reference line 16, denoting the neutral position, toward reference line 22, denoting the accessory position, lock cylinder 14 is rotated clockwise toward the position shown in FIG- URE 5. When T-shaped flange 46 contacts the leading edge of raised surface 50, further rotation is prevented. This slight amount of rotation from the neutral position is not sufficient to energize the electrical circuits associated with the switch portion of the ignition lock switch and in a given design could be eliminated completely. It is then necessary to axially depress lock cylinder 14 against the bias of spring means 58. As seen in FIG- URE 2, surface 56 engages spring means 58 and is moved axially to a position generally shown in FIGURE 3 and then rotated into the position shown in FIGURES 3, 5 and 7. It is to be noted that while in this position flange 46 engages raised surface 50. Thus, key 66 is moved to a position aligned with reference line 22 and the ignition switch is in the accessory position.

Disassembly of the lock switch is accomplished from the accessory position. Referring to FIGURE 7, spring means 58 engaging stop member 54 must be depressed inwardly to allow stop member 54 to slide thereon. Referring to FIGURE 5, T-sh'a-ped flange 46 would then be moved further clockwise as viewed in this figure until alignment is accomplished with guide slot 68. It is then merely necessary to withdraw lock cylinder 14 from housing 12 and disassembly is accomplished.

Reassembly of the lock cylinder as accomplished by aligning flanges 46 with slots 68. In a preferred embodiment, interior alignment of the lock cylinder to the housing is guaranteed by making opposite flanges 46 different sizes, thereby assuring the design alignment of flanges and surfaces within the housing. Look cylinder 14, when aligned with slot 68, is pushed into the switching. until the end of stop member 54 depresses spring means 58. Counterclockwise rotation of lock cylinder 14, as viewed in FIGURE 7, will result in stop member 54 proceeding beyond spring means 58, allowing spring means 58 to extend, thereby returning the switch to the configurations of FIGURE 7.

To return the switch to counterclockwise rotation of in FIGURE 5, will result in flange 46 dropping off surface 50 down to surface 48. It is understood that during assembly spring means 58 is overcompressed and, therefore, a force against surface 56 results in the axial displacement of lock cylinder 14 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 2.

For purposes of understanding the subject mechanism, it is important to keep in mind that FIGURES 2, 4 and 6 illustrate the subject mechanism in the neutral or off position and that FIGURES 3, 5 and 7 illustrate the subject invention positioned in the accessory position. It should also be noted that there are a pair of spring means 58 bearing against surface 56 and member 52, and stop member 54 is limited in its travel at the start position by interfering with one of the spring means 58, said lock cylinder being limited in its rotational movement at the accessory position by stop member 54 interfering with another spring means 58. Therefore, all of the limiters of rotational movement of lock cylinder 14 are illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 7 whereas FIGURES 4 and 6 illustrate normal operation of the subject device between the neu tral and start position.

The subject invention finds particular utility in an ignition lock switch but it is understood that several of the features illustrated herein can be readily adapted for use in limiting switch movements or lock movements when the combination is not had. As an example of an exthe off or neutral position lock cylinder 14, as viewed tension of utility, it might be desirable to place some of the limiting means described herein in a switch having a position which it is desirable to enter into occasionally but which is dangerous or undesirable to enter into 1nadvertently. Particular features of novelty to be noted in the subject invention are the various limiting mechanisms which include the cooperation of flanges 46 with slots 68, another portion of flanges 46 with surface 50 and surface 48 along with the interference of stop member 54 with return means 58 to limit overall rotational movement of the switch. It is also of particular importance to keep in mind the multitude of functions of spring means 58. The twin spring means 58 serve, as previously stated, as rotational stops for the lock cylinder, as return means for the lock cylinder after axial movement, and as a portion of the disassembly mechanism when depressed to allow clearance thereby of the stop member 54.

While the embodiment of the present invention, as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A lock switch comprising: a housing including stop means formed on an interior surface thereof; a lock cylinder rotatable between two extremes of movement within said housing limited by said stop means, the extremes of movement being more than 120 apart, said cylinder slidable in said housing and axially movable beyond said stop means and then rotated further to another extreme of movement; and switch means rotatable in said housing in response to rotative movement of said lock cylinder to a plurality of operative positions, at least one of which is disposed on either side of a neutral non-operative position, said switch means being rotatable to at least one operative position as said lock cylinder is rotated in a first direction from a neutral position, said switch means being reversely rotatable to at least one other operative position after an axial movement of said lock cylinder to clear said stop means formed on said housing.

2. A lock switch according to claim 1 wherein said stop means includes an interrupted arcuate shaped flange peripherally formed on an interior surface of said housing and resilient means contained within a wall of said housing and engageable with said lock cylinder after rotation into one extreme of movement.

3. A lock switch according to claim 2 wherein'said stop means includes means for biasing said lock cylinder against axial movement thereof serving thereby as a return means for said lock cylinder after axial movement thereof.

4. An ignition lock switch having a neutral position and at least one operative position on either side of the neutral position, said switch comprising: a housing having a substantially hollow chamber; lock cylinder means rotatably carried by said hollow chamber and axially movable therein in response to external pressure, said lock cylinder means including an operating member for controlling axial and rotative movement by cooperating with portions of said hollow chamber; and switch means rotatable in two directions from a neutral position in response to movement of said lock cylinder means whereby electrical circuits are energized, said housing having guide slots formed on an inside surface thereof to engage a portion of said operating member to control axial movement of said lock cylinder means, said housing having an arcuate shaped interiorly located peripheral flange adapted to stop said lock cylinder means at the neutral position thereby preventing rotation in a first direction to an operative position, said lock cylinder means operating member being axially movable with said lock cylinder means to clear said peripheral flange and being thereafter rotatable in said first direction to an operative position.

5. An ignition lock switch according to claim 4 wherein said guide slots are formed between interruptions in said peripheral flange to guide axial movement of said lock cylinder means during assembly, said peripheral flange limiting rotating movement of said lock cylinder means in one direction to an operative position, said lock cylinder means being axially movable beyond said peripheral flange to allow rotating movement in a second direction.

6. An ignition lock switch according to claim 4 wherein the switch has a neutral position and operative positions including an accessory position reached by counterclockwise rotation of the lock cylinder from the neutral position, a run position reached by a first amount of clockwise rotation of the lock cylinder, and a start position reached .by counterclockwise rotation of the lock cylinder past the run position against the bias of a cylinder return spring.

7. An ignition lock cylinder according to claim 4 wherein said housing has a plurality of elongated apertures longitudinally positioned in a wall thereof and arranged to engage said lock cylinder to bias said lock cylinder against axial movement thereof.

8. An ignition lock switch having a neutral non-operative position and a plurality of operative positions reached by rotation of a key in either direction from the neutral position, said ignition lock switch comprising: a housing including a switch compartment and a lock compartment, said housing having an interrupted flange peripherally carried at the juncture of the switch and lock compartment with upraised portions formed on said flange protruding into said switch compartment; a lock cylinder rotatably carried in said lock compartment and including a T-shaped bayonet type portion adapted to be moved through the interruptions in said flange and rotated into assembled disposition with respect to said housing, said T-shaped portion arranged to slide on the side of said flange facing the switch compartment to reach the operative positions on one side of the neutral position, said lock cylinder being axially movable while being substantially in the neutral position into said switch compartment until the T-shaped portion extends beyond the upraised portions there-by clearing said lock cylinder for limited rotation in an opposite direction into a first operative position; and switch means rotatably carried in said switch compartment and being drivably engaged by said lock cylinder to be moved into a plurality of circuit energizing dispositions, said housing having a substantially cylindrical shape with springs placed in side walls thereof arranged to bias said lock cylinder against axial movement and to provide a limiting means for said lock cylinder after being axially moved and rotated to a first operative position, one of said springs being compressible by a force from outside the lock cylinder while in the first operative position to allow. further rotation of said lock cylinder to a non-operative position where the T-shaped portion becomes aligned with the interruptions in said flange thereby allowing disassembly of said lock cylinder from said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,046,831

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LOCK SWITCH COMPRISING: A HOUSING INCLUDING STOP MEANS FORMED ON AN INTERIOR SURFACE THEREOF; A LOCK CYLINDER ROTATABLE BETWEEN TWO EXTREMES OF MOVEMENT WITHIN SAID HOUSING LIMITED BY SAID STOP MEANS, THE EXTREMES OF MOVEMENT BEING MORE THAN 120* APART, SAID CYLINDER SLIDABLE IN SAID HOUSING AND AXIALLY MOVABLE BEYOND SAID STOP MEANS AND THEN ROTATED FURTHER TO ANOTHER EXTREME OF MOVEMENT; SAID SWITCH MEANS ROTATABLE IN SAID HOUSING IN RESPONSE TO ROTATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID LOCK CYLINDER TO A PLURALITY OF OPERATIVE POSITIONS, AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH IS DISPOSED ON EITHER SIDE OF A NEUTRAL NON-OPERATIVE POSITION, SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING ROTATABLE TO AT LEAST ONE OPERATIVE POSITION AS SAID LOCK CYLINDRER IS ROTATED IN A FIRST DIRECTION FROM A NEUTRAL POSITION, SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING REVERSELY ROTATBLE TO AT LEAST ONE OTHER OPERATIVE POSITION AFTER AN AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID LOCK CYLINDER TO CLEAR SAID STOP MEANS FORMED ON SAID HOUSING. 